Non Toxic Diapers, Ultimate Comparison

We compared 16 of the most popular marketed "clean" disposable diaper brands on chlorine, PFAS, certifications, fragrance, dyes and materials in search of the best non toxic diapers. Here's what we discovered.

In a hurry? Scroll down to the table at the end.

We don’t stock diapers in our shop, so you’ll find links to Amazon or other stores. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you (affiliate disclosure).

What's the big deal with diapers?

Disposable diapers are a huge burden to the environment — the EPA estimates that the average disposable diaper can take around 500 years to degrade. Even more concerning, in recent years several media and non profits have called attention to the presence of pesticides, dioxins, furans, PAHs and volatile organic compounds in popular diaper brands. One agency, ANSES (a French agency for food, environmental, and occupational health and safety), performed a chemical risk analysis in this 2019 study. Here were their findings:

• The report confirmed the presence of various potentially harmful chemicals in disposable diapers, including dioxins, furans, formaldehyde, and certain fragrances.
• They concluded contaminants likely entered the diapers through manufacturing processes, materials used, or the addition of fragrances.
• The study does not discuss *actual harm* from these chemicals (that would require a different study). However, we know prolonged exposure to these chemicals do cause harm to humans. In addition a diaper creates an occlusive (sealed) environment. Occlusive materials trap moisture and heat against the skin, which can increase skin permeability and make it easier for chemicals to penetrate through the skin layers. A baby's skin is more permeable than an adult's (source).

Brand names were not shared, but the report states that the tests were conducted with the best-selling commercial products on the French market, as well as with retailers' own brands and "eco-friendly" diapers.

ANSES called for stricter regulation surrounding allowable limits and manufacturing processes, as well as transparent labeling for consumers.

How to shop for non toxic diapers

Cloth diapering is the only true "toxin-free" option, however, we know over 90% of families choose disposable diapers. And while we cannot find diapers that don't contains polyacrylates and other pollutants, we CAN find non toxic diapers that choose better materials, particularly the ones that touch baby's skin. 

Chemicals to avoid in diapers

❌ Chlorine - releases dioxins (group 1 carcinogen and reproductive toxin); look for Total Chlorine Free (TCF), or at least Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF).

❌ Fragrance - can contain phthalates, hormone disruptors.

❌ Formaldehyde - some diaper glues have been found to contain formaldehyde.

❌ PFAS - endocrine disruptors, carcinogenic potential, developmental delays.

❌ Dyes and Inks - can contain heavy metals.

❌ Pesticides - non-organic cotton options can contain pesticide or herbicide residue.

❌ SAP - polyacrylates that give diapers their absorbency. Almost all diapers have this, even the non toxic diapers. It is a huge burden to the environment and petroleum-derived.

What to look for in disposable diapers

• ✔️ TCF-free (better than ECF Free)
• ✔️ PFAS-free (requires testing)
• ✔️ Formaldehyde-free
• ✔️ Certifications like FSC, Organic GOTS and/or OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
• ✔️ Fragrance-Free
• ✔️ Dye-free or uses plant-based or food-safe dyes

Let's dive in a little deeper on some of these:

TCF vs ECF non toxic diapers

Chlorine in diapers is concerning because it can release harmful byproducts called dioxins, which are toxic, persist in the environment, and have been linked to health issues like cancer, reproductive harm, and immune system damage. Choosing chlorine-free diapers helps reduce exposure to these harmful chemicals. There are currently two classifications.

ECF (Elemental Chlorine-Free) bleaching uses chlorine dioxide to whiten diaper materials, reducing but not completely eliminating dioxin byproducts. It does, however, consume less energy. TCF (Totally Chlorine-Free) bleaching uses no chlorine compounds at all, relying instead on oxygen-based processes, which are considered safer and more eco-friendly as they avoid dioxin contamination entirely.

Certifications commonly seen in non toxic diapers

It's important to understand what different certifications mean to determine if it's important to you. Certifications cost brands money. So just because the brand doesn't have the certification doesn't mean that it doesn't have these attributes, it simply means you won't know.

• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certification - ensures that products made from wood, paper, or other forest-based materials are sourced from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. Learn more here. 
• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) Organic Certification - the leading worldwide standard for organic textiles, covering the entire textile supply chain, from harvesting raw fibers to environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing. GOTS-certified means it contains at least 70% organic fibers. GOTS Organic must contain at least 95%. Learn more here. 
• OEKO-TEX Certification - ensures that textile products are tested for harmful substances and meet strict safety criteria, making them safer for consumers, especially those with sensitive skin. There are many different types of OEKO-TEX certifications. To learn more, visit here.
• CPC (Children's Product Certified) - not a super impressive certification. Simply means they comply with United States safety regulations surrounding children's products. Learn more here.
• SGS - another not impressive certification which helps brands test to compliance. Learn more here.
• Nordic Swan Ecolabel - used by Nordic countries. Identifies products that meet strict environmental and health standards throughout their lifecycle. Learn more here.
• EWG-verified - EWG's standards for diapers is not specifically disclosed. However, you can learn more here. 
• ECOCERT - materials used must be mostly obtained from traceable, natural origin, and avoid the most common synthetic ingredients. ECOCERT-certified products must also use environmentally responsible manufacturing practices, from ingredient sourcing to packaging. Learn more here.

Non Toxic Diapers, Side by Side Comparison

Of the brands listed in the chart below, all of them are fragrance-free. We do not know if they contain formaldehyde or heavy metals without proper testing, but some of them make claims or say nothing at all.

The chart shows whether the diaper is TCF or ECF, whether it has been tested for PFAS and its results with a 10ppm threshold (source), any certifications, available information on dyes used, and general pricing. We used the cost of the newborn diaper size as a reference, but check all diapers sizes as brands vary how they increase the price per size. A $ means the per diaper cost landed under 40 cents for the newborn size. $$ is 41 - 60 cents. $$$ is over 60 cents per newborn diaper.

Which diapers performed the best?

As you can see, even looking at just the numbers, it is difficult to declare a clear non toxic diaper winner. Even more when you consider how the diaper performs. It has been many years since our kiddos were in diapers, so we were not able to test the performance or absorbency of each of these diapers.

However, if you are currently expecting, here's our favorite pro tip: place a TON of different diaper brands (that you feel comfortable with from this information) on your baby registry and try them all. That way, when you are ready to purchase them yourself, you will have a good idea of what works well for your family and baby.

If you have used any of these brands, please comment your personal experience below. We'd love to know! 👇